T20 World Cup 2022: Match 41 - Predicted Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh

Pakistan will be eyeing a win against Bangladesh, not only to end their Super 12 on a high note but also to keep their hopes of semi-final qualifications alive. It is going to be tricky for Pakistan, as they will need South Africa and India to lose their respective fixtures so as to find themselves a potential spot in the next round.

Pakistan lost their first two games against India and Zimbabwe, in what was a final-over thriller, before winning against South Africa and the Netherlands. Thus, Pakistan is backed with two wins from their previous two games. They recently met Bangladesh twice during the Tri-series in New Zealand which happened before the T20 World Cup 2022.

Let’s look at Pakistan’s probable playing XI against Bangladesh

Openers: Mohamad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c)

Neither of the two openers have been at their best this season. While Mohammad Rizwan looked in good touch against the Netherlands as he scored a 49-run knock while chasing the total, he has failed to make an impact in the tournament, overall, and has scored only 71 runs from the four games so far.

Skipper Babar Azam, on the other hand, has accumulated mere 14 runs from four games, with his highest score of six runs coming against South Africa. The team looks weak if the openers don’t perform and thus the duo will have to step up in the must-win crucial fixture.

Middle Order: Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed

Mohammad Haris made his way into the team after Fakhar Zaman was ruled of the remainder of the tournament. Haris was on fire from the word go when he walked out to bat against South Africa. Before being dismissed for an 11-ball 28, he notched up two fours and three big sixes to cover up for the early wickets. He’ll be the one to lookout for.

Shan Masood looked very promising against India and Zimbabwe, but his knocks went in vain as Pakistan lost both contests. In the previous two games against South Africa and the Netherlands, he registered scores of 2 and 12 respectively, putting the top order in trouble. Thus, he will have to step up.

Iftikhar Ahmed played a brilliant knock of 35-ball 51 runs while batting under pressure in the previous game against South Africa. His batting heroics helped Pakistan put up a good total and later win the game. He would be expected to carry the same momentum in the next game too.

All-Rounders: Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz

Shadab Khan has been in great form with the bat and the ball. He has eight wickets from the past three games and played a crucial role in the previous game against South Africa. He scored a quick-fire 22-ball 52 and also picked up two crucial wickets, that of Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram. Mohammad Nawaz hasn’t been as effective as Shadab Khan, as an all-rounder, but has shown his abilities in a limited time. He has been effective with the ball under pressure situations.

Bowlers: Mohammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

Mohammad Wasim has been brilliant on the bowling front. He has seven wickets from the previous three games and he has also been very economical. Naseem Shah, on the other hand, has not been as impressive as he was during the Asia Cup. But even though he hasn’t picked up many wickets, he has tried to keep the batters in check.

Haris Rauf has proved his importance in the game time and again. He has not gone wicketless in any of the games so far this tournament and will look to continue the same form. Shaheen Shah Afridi’s start of the campaign was awful as he went wicketless in the first two games. But he put up a great show in the recent two matches and also played a crucial role against South Africa by picking up three major wickets.

Pakistan’s Predicted XI vs Bangladesh: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Shan Masood, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi